Your Guide to Laser Eye Surgery

Lasik Laser eye surgery is a common and popular vision correction procedure which corrects refractive errors including short-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. This blog is designed to guide you with essential information to help you prepare for your laser eye surgery.
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Lady having her eyes tested with an optician wearing grey jumper

What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery has been performed since 1987 and is a vision correction or refractive procedure which reduces or more commonly eliminates the need for corrective eyewear. The procedure uses lasers to make microscopic alterations in the corneal tissue at surface of the eye changing the overall power of the eye.

In most cases, life-changing results are possible following laser vision correction, and a person will either never need to wear glasses or lenses again or will need them much less frequently than before the surgery*.

If you are considering laser eye surgery, continue reading for more information about the different procedures available at Centre for Sight and performed by our laser vision correction specialists.

*Applies generally for distance vision. With age (40’s onwards) and hardening of the crystalline lens inside the eye, focus at near ranges can be difficult and reading glasses may be required. In some cases, hardening of the lens can change the overall power of the eye resulting in slight changes where glasses may again be required.

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Centre for Sight surgeons have performed Laser eye surgery since 1990 and introduced Lasik to the UK in 1994 and IntraLasik in 2004. At Centre for Sight LASIK eye surgery is the most frequently performed laser procedure. The ‘Intra’ component denotes the use of the revolutionary Intralase iFS Femtosecond laser (Lasik technology) to create the highly precise and micro-thin flap at the front of the eye which is required to perform LASIK. The ‘LASIK’ portion is an abbreviation of Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. This signifies making the power change on the cornea under a micro-thin flap. Using an individualised treatment plan prepared by the treating Lasik surgeon, the Excimer laser is used to accurately re-sculpt the surface of the cornea, treating the overall prescription as well as correcting fine abnormalities to enhance visual outcomes with patients often obtaining better vision than they had with glasses and soft contact lenses!

Laser vision correction alternatives to the LASIK procedure include LASEK, Transepithelial Photorefractive keratectomy (Transepi-PRK) and Epi-LASIK. At Centre for Sight, these procedures may be advised over Lasik in instances e.g. if there is an abnormality of the corneal epithelium, thin cornea, low levels of correction and corneal scarring or surface irregularity).

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Types Of Laser Eye Surgey

LASIK/IntraLASIK

This procedure is the safest and most precise vision correction option, with the longest track record available in the world today. It uses a precise Laser to create the flap with computer controlled precision and accuracy.

TransEpi PRK

Another surface laser eye surgery procedure often recommended for those with minor vision correction needs and corneal abnormalities. This single-step, ‘no-touch’ process uses a laser to remove the epithelial layer and reshape the cornea for improved vision.

LASEK

This procedure is often recommended for those with minor vision correction needs and corneal abnormalities. Unlike TransEpi PRK, alcohol loosens the epithelial layer, which is replaced after the cornea is reshaped for vision correction.

Supracor LASIK

This LASIK procedure creates a corneal flap with a femtosecond laser and reshapes the cornea. Typically performed on the non-dominant eye, it is combined with regular LASIK in the dominant eye for optimal vision correction.

Laser Eye Surgery Procedure

We usually operate on both eyes on the same day. However, as a safety precaution Centre for Sight ensures that each eye is treated as a separate procedure with separately sterilised instruments and new disposable instruments.

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Step One

Before your procedure numerous checks are performed and we always verify that your treatment plan matches correctly with your test results. At each procedure the laser is calibrated and new disposable instruments are prepared.

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Step Two

A strong numbing eye drop is used along with strong antibiotics to prevent infection. The area around the eye is cleaned thoroughly with a disinfectant. To prevent the eye from closing during the procedure a special eyelid holder is used. During laser eye surgery you will be asked to look as steadily as you can at the centre of a flashing red light.

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Step Three

IntraLASIK uses a combination of TWO lasers. 1.- The Intralase femtosecond laser is initially used to create the corneal flaps at the exact dimensions and depth needed. 2. The excimer laser changes the shape of the cornea under the flap. The femtosecond laser creates thousands of microscopic bubbles to fashion the flap at a specified depth in the cornea for each eye. Once the surgeon is happy with the quality of the flap a second set of more condensed bubbles created vertically forms the edge of the flap.

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Step Four

After the laser bed moves to the Technolas Excimer laser, iris recognition technology recognises the eye from exported images taken at consultation and ensures accurate eye tracking and precise delivery. (Each iris is unique and therefore there is no chance of mixing up eyes or treatments). After carefully lifting the flap, the laser rapidly reshapes the inner cornea according to your own unique prescription providing optimal asphericity and reducing wavefront abnormalities where required.

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Step Five

Once the laser reshaping is completed the flap is replaced and allowed to dry. Eye drops are used to prevent infection.

Am I Suitable?

Find out if you are suitable for Laser Eye Surgery by taking our short self test quiz.

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Sources & References

  1. Pallikaris IG, Papatzanaki ME, Stathi EZ, Frenschock O, Georgiadis A. Laser in situ keratomileusis. Lasers Surg Med. 1990;10(5):463-8. PubMed PMID: 2233101. PubMed
  2. “Education Education Education” 14 November 2008. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3rd January 2019. OptometryToday
  3. Dry Eyes And LASIK. Marilyn Haddrill with contributions by Robert L. Epstein, M. All About Vision